Monthly M&A Insider - January 2018

2017 ended with year-over-year declines in both value and volume, even after a US$200bn boost in value thanks to five megadeals in December. Energy, Mining & Utilities proved to be the top performing sector with deal values totaling US$543.7bn, down 7.6% by value compared to 2016. North America emerged as the top contributor to global M&A totals, but it too underperformed when compared to figures from 2016. Europe, however, saw deal values rise to US$929.3bn, while Asia (excluding Japan) as well as Central and South America each saw growth in their value and volume totals.

Highlights from this report include:

Global private equity buyouts saw a 23.7% increase in year-over-year value, while exits were up 18% by value compared to 2016.

The Walt Disney Company's purchase of Twenty-First Century Fox for US$68.4bn was the highest-valued deal of the year.

Cross-border deals were effectively flat year-over-year, down just 0.1% to US$1.3tr in 2017.